46 



common in the country, but I afterwards discovered 

 that it was not lamellous, was easily wrought, and 

 retained the form that was given it, and, although 

 saponaceous to the touch, did not foam with water. 

 These circumstances induce me to believe that this 

 clay is very analogous to the kaolin of the Chinese, 

 and that combined with fusible spar, of which there 

 are great quantities in the same province, it would 

 furnish an excellent porcelain. 



The third species is the subdola (argilla subdola) 

 so called from the places where it is found, which 

 are usually marshes, containing pits very dange- 

 TOUS for animals, especially horses, who, if they 

 fall in them, are sure to perish unless immediate as- 

 sistance is obtained. This clay is black, viscous, 

 and composed of coarse particles of various sizes; the 

 pits are from fifteen to twenty feet in circumference 

 and of an immense depth. W allerius and Linnssus 

 describe a clay, found in Sweden, that lias some re- 

 semblance to this, to which they have given the 

 name of argilla tumescens^ but on investigation it ap- 

 pears to be very different both in its colour and pro- 

 perties. The Chilian clay is a little alkalescent, 

 continues in the same state throughout the year, 

 and is constantly covered with a very fine verdure 

 that attracts the animals, who are frequently mired 

 and perish in it; while that of Sweden inclines to an 

 acid, swells much in certain seasons,^ and is natu- 

 rally barren. 



The fourth kind is the rovo (argilla rovia) from 

 which the inhabitants procure an excellent black ; 

 it is used in dying wool, and represented by Feuille 



